MEXICO BEACH — The beleaguered police department in this quiet beach hamlet has a new boss with a plan to address the problems of recent months and move forward.

Glenn Norris was selected from a field of 65 applicants for the position of police chief after being recommended by all five members of the City Council at its meeting Tuesday, said City Administrator Chris Hubbard.

Hubbard, who has authority over hiring and firing decisions, hired him Wednesday and Norris’ wife helped pin the chief’s badge in a ceremony that afternoon.

Norris has been with the department for 10 years, rising through the ranks to captain. Prior to that, Norris had worked for the Gulf County Sheriff’s Office and the Port St. Joe Police. He began his career in law enforcement in 1989.

He had been in charge of the day-to-day operations of the police department since the October retirement of former Chief Brad Hall, who was found to have violated numerous police policies and procedures by Bay County Sheriff’s Office investigators.

Investigators found evidence to sustain allegations Hall had violated department policies against lying, unbecoming conduct, workplace harassment and misuse of department equipment. They also sustained allegations Hall had violated Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) rules and Florida statutes against misconduct and perjury in an unofficial proceeding, according to an investigative summary report.

Since the BCSO investigation and a simultaneous criminal investigation by the FDLE that is ongoing, several police officers have been terminated or resigned from the small department. Still, Hubbard said he had no problem going with an internal candidate.

“Capt. Norris wasn’t part of any of the controversy and, in fact, he was in Afghanistan,” Hubbard said.

Norris was deployed there with the Army Reserves for much of this year, and Hubbard credited Norris for helping stabilize the department upon his return.

“I think his biggest challenge is really going to be ensuring the community that the problems they’ve recently witnessed are behind them,” Hubbard said Thursday.

Norris, 44, said he’s already begun working toward that goal. He plans to hold monthly meetings with business owners to address complaints and concerns they might have, and he’s planning to meet with the city’s Council on Aging to let people know how to protect themselves from common scams.

“I’m a big believer in community policing programs,” Norris said. “Putting out more information to the public and the community would be better for them.”

Norris will earn about $25 per hour, Hubbard said.

A Facebook page for the department has been created recently. Norris wants to increase opportunities for officer training as well, he said.

“We know we have a big obstacle to overcome,” he said. “We’re moving in the right direction, and we want to keep moving in that direction and go further than we are.”